A/N: So I was finally able to finish this story. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out and I had a fun time writing it. There were also moments when it was hard because of the subject matter. But this is by far one of my favorite stories and I hope you all enjoyed this journey as much as I did. Thanks for all the amazing support! I love my readers and reviewers!

For now I am working on Just Like Yesterday and the sequel to it. I also have a couple of one-shots I want to post soon. And of course I have a lot of new ideas for stories, which will come by time.

Special thanks to Westie80, Sophia0665, Hugs-n-Kisses01, Christiangirl, red2013 and guest!

I don't own criminal minds!

Chapter 34: A better life

Six years later…

JJ kept running, trying to stay ahead of the man behind her. Her heart was beating a mile minute as she ran through the large park. It was absolutely beautiful. She was surrounded by trees and flowers. The moment felt like a fairytale, even though she knew those didn't exist. Part of her life was proof of that, but the past six years were close to a fairytale. She was happier than ever before. Her life had finally taken a turn for the better and everything was falling into place. She had everything she could've ever wanted from life.

JJ stopped for a moment to take a break, when she suddenly felt someone push her to the ground. She squealed in response and laughed loudly when she felt a body cover hers. ''You got me!'' she exclaimed.

''I guess I did.'' Hotch said happily, his chest heaving from all the excitement. He wasn't that young anymore and this fake intense workout definitely reminded him. ''I didn't think I would find you.''

''You did, like you always have.'' she breathed out as she put her hands around his neck. She leaned upwards to softly kiss his lips. And what was supposed to be a short kiss, turned into a long and passionate make out. JJ finally pulled away when she realized they were in a public park. ''We're like teenager.'' she pointed out with a cheeky smile.

''I don't care. I actually like it.'' he said mischievously. He noticed that JJ started blushing when a young couple walked by. So he took a hold of her thighs and turned them around so JJ was straddling his lap. He leaned upwards, their faces close. ''You're my wife, JJ. We're allowed to do this.''

She pushed him back down and once again kissed him. Their lips fused together as they got lost in each other. No kiss was different from that one. Each time she was close to him, she was safe and nothing in the world could ever make her happier. He was everything she was ever going to need in life. He was it.

She finally pulled away to catch her breath. ''We should get back to the team, honey.'' she suggested, smiling widely when his face turned sad. ''Oh come on!''

''What?'' he asked in response. ''I like a make-out in the park, JJ. I guess you didn't know that about me.''

''After five years of marriage, I know more than enough about you.'' she said as she rose from the ground and straightened her dress. ''Remind me to never wear a dress to the park when you're tagging along!''

Hotch laughed as he rose to his feet. He stepped next to JJ and took her hand, bringing it up to his mouth to plant a gentle kiss on it. ''That's never going to happen.''

''That was to be expected.''

For the next few moments a comfortable silence fell between them. Holdings hand under the glistening sun was what a normal life was like for them, but it was perfection. Neither of them ever wanted more. Life was great.

JJ released Hotch's hand when their son came running towards them after seeing his parents. JJ ran towards him and held out her arms to the little boy. ''Henry!'' she called out.

''Momma!'' the little boy squealed as he jumped into her arms. ''Where were you?''

JJ hugged him tightly as his blonde hairs tickled her face. ''I was taking a walk with you dad, sweetie. But we're back.''

Hotch stopped next to JJ, looking at the beautiful picture in front of him. He gave Henry a quick kiss on his head before he and JJ made their way back to the team. The already had a blanket spread out on the grass and food was on it.

JJ sat down on the blanket with Henry between her legs. Hotch was next to her and next to him was Jack with a smile on his face. JJ loved Jack like he was her own since the first time she met him. He had always been a delightful young kid. But as he got older he did have a lot questions regarding his father's relationship with the blonde. He had been angry that it started out as an affair, but his dad's happiness was ultimately all he ever cared about and he moved past it.

''Let's eat!'' Rossi said with contempt when everybody had found a place on the large blanket. He looked at Hotch as he stared at JJ. He could see it was true love. He had never seen his friend happier and he didn't wish for anything less.

After lunch, JJ walked up the hill of the park. JJ stopped at a distance and sat down in the grass, just looking at the picture in front of her. Everyone she loved was present. The team, her husband and her two beautiful children. It was all she needed to get through the day, or even her life. And in that moment JJ was content with the way everything in her life played out. The good had outweighed that bad. Earlier in her life she never believed that would've been possible, but it even became reality. Her own reality. The moment she came back to Hotch, she had found her home. The one place to survive. A place of love and laughter. Of course, her return hadn't been easy. She still had nightmares and moments of doubt. The fear that she would never be enough for him had been a hard part of their relationship to overcome. The broken person she once was never vanished and she knew that was impossible. But she learned to live with. It had become a part of who she was. And because of it she was stronger than ever before. Not because of what happened but because of the love she had for her husband. He and her family were worth everything in life.

On the other side of the park Hotch was searching for JJ. He didn't see her anywhere. Jack and Henry were at the swing set and the team was sitting on the grass, enjoying the amazing weather. His heart starting beating a mile a minute. Not finding JJ was still his greatest fear. Losing her again could never happen. He ran up the small hill of the park and suddenly noticed JJ sitting on the top, just staring ahead of her. He felt the air return to his body as he slowly approached her.

He sat down next to her. ''What are you doing out here by yourself?'' he asked with fear in his voice.

''Remembering how lucky I am.'' she whispered, leaning against him. Her head was on his shoulder as his arms wrapped around her body.

''We're all lucky, JJ.'' he started. ''I was lucky enough to meet you and to fall in love with you.'' he went on. ''And I was blessed enough to find you again after all those years.''

JJ felt the tears coming to her eyes at the thought of the memories. ''I know.'' she whispered in agreement. ''I love you so much for never giving up hope. And for waiting.''

''I love you, JJ.'' Hotch said as he pulled her against his body. He closed his eyes and wondered what their future would be like. He could only see happiness. With JJ nothing could ever be that bad. As long as he had her, life was going to be amazing and full of love and laughter. But most of all…hope.

"I don't care how hard being together is, nothing is worse than being apart."

~ Josephine Angelini

The end!